Introduction
The film Incoming is a 2024 teenage comedy that follows the tradition of crude coming-of-age high school films. The concept was developed by television comedy veterans Dave and John Chernin, who also wrote and directed the film, marking their entry into feature films for the first time. Incoming has a runtime of just over 91 minutes and is centered around an ensemble cast of freshman students attending their first high school party. The narrative contains juvenile antics and moments of emotional sincerity, attempting to combine the chaos of adolescence into one night of mayhem.
With the aid of many testosterone-fueled younger audiences, this film tries to pay tribute to cult favorites such as Superbad, Project X, and American Pie while still putting a modern streaming twist on things. Unlike other teen comedies, this film also seeks to invoke nostalgia for those who grew up during the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Plot Summary
The movie begins with four freshman boys, Benj, Koosh, Connor and Eddie starting their first day of high school at North Shore High, which appears to be a social jungle. As a shy but dogged main character, Benj, has set a goal to re-invent himself, and to raise his profile and garner the attention of Bailey, a senior and the elder sister to his younger sister Alyssa.
Things change when opportunity seeks Koosh’s older brother who once threw an infamous back-to-school party and this time has a little twist: freshmen are not welcome. In a rather bizarre development, Benj is the only one given a green light, setting up a perfect storm for a night that will test friendships, self-image, and limits.
From the inside of the bash, Benj attempts to win Bailey over and simultaneously prove that he can hold his own amongst the bigger kids. “Their night spirals into a series of unfortunate (and often disgusting) accidents” including a mortifying bathroom incident. Koosh, feeling the weight of expectation to perform set by expecatations from older kids, fakes an injury as a last resort to get closer to a girl from the school’s wellness spa, blissfully unaware that he will find himself in discomfort when stuck in an embarrassing and painful position.
As the hours roll on, the crew more and more realize that they are in way over their heads. Out of nowhere, Mr. Studerbaker the chemistry teacher (with Bobby Cannavale starring) appears at the party hoping to relive past glory while cementing as a favorite among his pupils. What starts as an innocent endeavor turns into a very morally dubious one as Mr. Studerbaker gets far too involved with the party chaos.
As the sun rises and the police come to break up the party, each of the protagonists must face the fallout from their decisions. After being emotionally scarred, but somehow more self-assured, Benj attempts to woo Bailey by singing to her at a school assembly only to be gently rebuffed. Rather than sulk, he chooses to celebrate his metamorphosis. The film concludes with the four friends walking together, battered yet bonded, recounting the mishaps of an unforgettable night.
Characters and Performances
Mason Thames as Benj Nielsen: The relatable everyman of the story, Benj is a character who captures the audience’s sympathy as the emotional anchor. Thames portrays brilliantly the comedy as well as the heart of the character’s emotions, as he proudly transforms from a quiet and reserved individual to someone unafraid to face embarrassment or rejection.
Bardia Seiri as Koosh: the most outspoken and most shelter of the group, who acts out of insecurity and is overtly driven by his intense rivalry with his brothers. His physical comedy stood out the most for me, and I enjoyed the development of his character when we see beneath the bravado.
Raphael Alejandro as Connor and Ramon Reed as Eddie: The two form a great buddy concept, Reed’s Eddie being the more composed and Alejandro’s Connor the neurotic mess. Their plot includes a collection of ridiculous situations that are absurd but believable because of the bond between the two.
Isabella Ferreira as Bailey: As the one on the receiving end of Benj’s affection, she could have remained a two-dimensional character but Ferreira gives Bailey depth and warmth. Gilles’s kindness, intelligence, and grounded personality toward the wound makes the eventual rejection scene tender instead of cruel.
Ali Gallo as Alyssa: Alyssa actively balances parental annoyance with genuine love for her younger brother, Benj. This role portrays the familial aspects among the rest of the social hurriedness of the plot.
Bobby Cannavale as Mr. Studebaker: Cannavale as a midlife crisis riddled teacher, The Standout adult role in The Chernin’s Bobby has incredible energy throughout the film, masterfully balancing comic relief as a cautionary tale that ensures some of the most memorable moments in the film.
Direction and Style
In high school, social life is fast-paced, chaotic, and hectic and The Chernin brothers capture this essence. Their handheld montage sequences during the party are done in what feels like an unsteady cam documentary lens, only further heightening the chaos of the evening.
The mood lighting transforms from uplifting at the start of school to somber lighting with a pulsating glow at the party. This change in the visual details demonstrates the character development of the students as they face uncomfortable and at times painful truth during their lessons.
The direction makes use of classic tropes from teen comedies, but incorporates modern and direct references that align with streaming. The shots are short to encourage seamless transitions, and there are moments designed to go viral, where humor targets Tik Tok and Instagram audiences.
Themes and Underlying Meaning
Coming-of-Age: Incoming depicts the first spark of growing up – the moment that follows after you make brash choices, feel embarrassed, and realize that everything is alright.
Identity and Reinvention: Perception is everything. The four boys want to shed their identities and are determined to adopt new ones. The movie poses the question – is reinforcing who you used to be truly accepting change?
Male Vulnerability: Despite being primarily a source of humor, a number of scenes portray young men grappling with shame, vulnerability, and emotional honesty. These themes are brushed aside in teenage comedies, so their inclusion makes the film stand out.
Hypocrisy of Adulthood: The adult who does not know when to grow up is represented by Mr. Studebaker. His character serves a comical purpose while subtly warning the audience at the same time.
Boundaries and Consent: The film very briefly and carefull flirts with crossing the boundary into cruelness, though it mostly stays within bounds. This attempt to approach moments of discomfort is framed in a manner that shows care unlike many older films of this type.
Reception
Responses towards Incoming have varied greatly from one end to the other. Teenage audience members resonated with the pacing and humor, finding it relatable. Most audience members praised the cast’s performances and the authenticity of the cast, especially Cannavale’s.
Critics were more mixed. Some found the relavitve sincerity and strong casting in the film to be commendable, but others found excessive reliance on crude humor, body humor, and cliches off-putting. Even so, it has secured its place amoung streaming-era comedies targeted to adolescents which seek to amuse rather than add anything of substance to the genre.
Conclusion
Incoming is a blunt, yet oddly sincere teenage sitcom that elicits an almost equal amount of laughter and cringing. It does not reinvigorate the genre but its energy alongside the strong cast and fleeting emotional weight makes up for it. For those who enjoy coming-of-age stories—clumsy, chaotic, and tender—Incoming may be loud at times, but offers warmth at the heart.
One thing, however, proves certain: be it for better or worse, this wacky freshman night is something these characters—and some viewers—will remember for quite a while. This is whether you find it hilarious or hard to watch, and even that is contingent on your tolerance for vulgar jokes.
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